“We made some big plays, and that was fun, but we weren’t very efficient at the things we were trying to do,” El Camino coach Gifford Lindheim said. “But those big plays helped open up the game for us.”

El Camino had 113 yards rushing, led by Jacobi Hardy, who scored two touchdowns and finished with 45 yards on three carries.

Even while the offense was trying to find its footing, El Camino leaned on its consistently opportunistic defense. The Warriors intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles. Linebacker Taylor Flowers led the way with an interception and two forced fumbles.

Moorpark’s only points came on a high snap that sailed out the back of the end zone for a safety during an El Camino punt attempt in the second quarter.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Raiders had the ball near ECC’s goal line, but Anthony Hale intercepted a pass to end the threat.

“We have pride. Today is the 30th anniversary of the national championship, and they’re watching us and there’s a standard here,” Lindheim said. “No matter what the play, what the situation in the game, you don’t want to give an inch, and that’s the sign of a good football team.”

As that 1987 team was honored during halftime, the players from that squad also provided some extra motivation for this year’s team.

“A couple of them were walking around with their rings and showing us that this is our goal,” Flowers said. “It’s a mindset. It makes us play ever harder when we know where we got to go.”